1. Government and Law Making
Each branch has an important role in making, interpreting, and enforcing laws in Canada

2. Read pages 29-31 & answer questions #1-5 p. 31

3. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

4. The role of the executive branch of the government is to set policies present budgets, propose legislation and implement passed by the legislature.

5. Federal Level Provincial Level
Queen
Governor General (David Johnston)
Lieutenant Governor (Elizabeth Dowdeswell)
Prime Minister (Stephen Harper)
Premier (Kathleen Wynne)
Cabinet (39 members)
Cabinet (27 members)
Public or Civil Service

6. The Legislative Branch

7. What is it?
The legislative branch of government has the power to make, change and repeal laws
It is also called Parliament

8. Federal Level
Provincial Level
Governor General
Lieutenant Governor
Senate
(Upper House)
House of Commons
(Lower House)
Legislative Assembly

9. House of Commons Where MP’s meet 308 MP’s
Discuss & debate issues & government policies
Debates controlled by the Speaker of the House, an MP chosen by the other MP’s
Main function to make and change laws

11. The Government
The party with the most ‘seats’ in the House of Commons is the government
All others are the opposition
Leader of second largest party “Leader of the Opposition”

12. Question Period Happens four days a week when Parliament is sitting
Opposition members raise issues and question government actions
May force the government to deal with issues

13. The Senate “Upper house of Parliament” Senators appointed by PM
Must be Canadian citizens, at least 30
“Sober second thought”
All laws must pass the Senate

14. THE JUDICIARY

15. 3 levels of provincial courts:
The role of the judiciary is to act as an impartial third party in legal disputes and to clarify the law
3 levels of provincial courts:
Provincial Court of Appeal
Superior court (for serious offences)
Provincial court (for minor offenses)
Justices may strike down any law that violates the Charter of Rights & Freedoms

16. Passing a law:
A bill is a proposed legislation, introduced by a cabinet minister (called a government or public bill) or private member (an elective representative who does not hold a cabinet post- called a private member’s bill)

17. Individual or interest groups
Royal Commissions
Individual or interest groups
IDEAS
Advisory Boards
Ministers’ initiatives
DRAFT LEGISLATION

18. FIRST READING
Bill is ______________ and given __________ reading
Minister may discuss the _______________ of the bill
Background information is supplied to ________________________
Bill is _____________ and ___________________
introduced
first
purpose
opposition parties
printed
distributed
SECOND READING
___________ of the bill is _________________
Minister makes a speech to __________ the debate
Each member can make only ________ speech
Bill be referred to committee for ______________ and further ____________________
Principle
debated
open
one
revision
examination

19. THIRD READING PROVINCIAL SYSTEM
Debate is restricted to ____________ of the bill
No _______________________ can be moved
contents
amendments
VOTE HELD
FEDERAL SYSTEM
Steps are repeated in the Senate
Governor General must sign the bill (royal assent)
PROVINCIAL SYSTEM
Lieutenant-Governor must sign the bill (royal assent)